The traditional doctrine of man and not the measurement of skulls and footprints is the key for the understanding of that anthropos who, despite the rebellion of Promethean man against Heaven from the period of Renaissance and its aftermath, is still the inner man of every man, the reality which no human being can deny wherever and whenever he lives, the imprint of a theomorphic nature which no historical change and transformation can erase completely from the face of that creature called man.
The human soul, provided it is pure and strong enough, can contact the unseen in waking life as well as in dreams: all that is required is withdrawal of the soul from the tumult of sensory life.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the potential for the human soul to connect with deeper realities if it can detach from the distractions of everyday sensory experiences.
Seyyed Hossein Nasr's quote highlights the idea that the human soul possesses the ability to engage with unseen dimensions of existence, both in day-to-day life and in dreams, as long as it is pure and sufficiently strong. The essence of this connection requires a conscious withdrawal from the chaotic and demanding distractions of sensory experiences, permitting a deeper exploration of spiritual or metaphysical realms.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a meditation workshop, this quote may be shared to encourage participants to seek deeper truths within themselves.
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I reject any religious doctrine that does not appeal to reason and is in conflict with morality.
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I think seriousness is a mask of self-importance and self-importance in turn is a mask for self-pity. So if you're really going to pursue a spiritual way of living in the world, you must be lighthearted and carefree, have humor, be able to tolerate ambiguity and embrace uncertainty, and be forgiving of yourself and everybody else.
When we come to judge others it is not by ourselves as we really are that we judge them, but by an image that we have formed of ourselves from which we have left out everything that offends our vanity or would discredit us in the eyes of the world.
In NY sensuality completely turns into sexuality - no objects for the senses to respond to, no beautiful river, houses, people. Awful smells of the street, and dirt... Nothing except eating, if that, and the frenzy of the bed.
But Valentine, why despair, why always paint the future in such sombre hues?" Maximilien asked. "Because, my friend, I judge it by the past.